The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-16
TALKING TO BUSINESS MEN
The Annual Banquet of the Members of
the New York Chamber of Commerce.
Letters from President Cleveland and Sena-
tor acknowledgements by Secretary
Lamar and Joseph Chamberlain.

NEW YORK. Nov 15.-The annual dinner of
| the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New
York was held tonight at Delmonlco's. which
was handsomely festooned with smilax, ever
green's and flags of all nations Covers were
laid for 212. The guests of the evening included
Secretary of the Treasury Fairchild. Secretary
of the Interior Lamar, British Fish Commits
sioner Joseph Chamberlain, Mayor Hewitt,
Hon. Carl Schurz, General Schofield, Hon. S. S.
Cox Gen. Horace Porter. Chauncey NJ. Depew.
Whitelaw Reid and Andrew Carnegie.
After three hours had been given
to the discussion of the menu, Presi-
dent Smith raped for order and spoke
briefly He referred to the statement of dis
tinguished Western Senator in the last Con-
gress. that the New York chamber was ian
old ,institution in moribund state, and said
that, were he present, he would think it physc
ally alive. at least The speaker continued by
saying that the chamber had been charged with
meddling too much in national affairs There
were subjects which it had given expressi on
to its opinions. and would do SO again. The
speaker then touched upon the need of work in
the New York narbor. the necessity for strong
navy, and the desirability of building up
large commercial marine. The following let
EXECUTIVE MANSION
WASHINGTON. ID. c. Nov. 4, 1887.
Messrs. Henry Hentz, Charles Watrous. and 9TH
ers, Committee:
tend the annual banquet of the Chamber of Commerce
of the State of New York the evening of the 18th
instant. 1t would certainly give great pleasure to
be present that occasion and meet those who, to
great extent have IN charge the important business
interests represented in your association. am sure
too, that should derive profit well pleasure
from such meeting Those charged by the people
tha nff
to enhance their usefulness by a familiarity with
business conditions and intimacy with business men,
sion than the stimulation and protection of the activ
ties of the country. This relation between govern
ment and business suggests the thought that the
members of such associations yours to them
selves and to all the people of the land thoughtful
by their practical knowledge of affairs. to
the end that there may be impressed upon
character and tendency free from the diver
sion of passion and unmoved by sudden gusts of
excitement But the most wholesome purpose of
their political action will not be accomplished by
insistenee upon their exclusive claims and selfish ben
ets regardless of the welfare of the people large.
Interdependence is fully element in nation
al existence that patriotic and generous heed to the
general good sense will best subserve every particu
lar interest. regret that my official duties and en-
S rne & OF your
may be most enjoyable and interesting occasion
GRovER CLEVELAND
MANSFIELD, O., Oct 81, 1887.
Charles watrous. Esq. and others:
Gentemen-Your very kind invitation to attend the
18th annual banquet of the Chamber of Commerce,
at Delmoncos, on Tuesday evening, the 18th of No
vember, is received. regret very much that
ments already made will keep Ohio until after
the date of your banquet. You have my hearty good
wishes and will always have my cooperation in the
general objects proposed by your organization. Per-
haps the important subject for the immediate
future is the extension of commerce, especially
into Mexico and the South American States.
The enormous development of our internal industry
has made necessary to seek foreign markets for
surplus productions. The most hopeful field for
such operations is in the growing demands of the
American continent for many articles that the United
States, better than other country, furnish
them. am, with sincere respect,
Very truly yours, JOHN SHERMAN
Governor Hill also sent letter of regret
Then the toast ''The President" was drunk,
and Secretary Lamar responded. President
Smith. in introducing him, referred to his prob
able coming elevation to the Supr eme Court
bench. and added: 1--WE are under obligations to
Secretary Lamar for adopting the suggestion of
the Chamber of Commerce in regard to the
Bland silver bill"
Secretary Lamar, rising, was greeted with
tumultous applause. He said:
Fully approaching the honor conferred in
calling upon me to respond to the toast just
read, allow me to say that it has taken me some
what by surprise, l was not aware that
would be called upon to respond to such toast
until day or two since l confess that have
another cause of embarrassment I have been
close, officially, to the President for the last
three years-so identified with his purposes, and
Z
sible for me to either contemplate or
present him in the perspective. In my
trouble / applied to him to what
should say, and perhaps could not do better
than to repeat to you his very words. He said
Remind the gentlemen of the Chamber of
Commerce of the fact that the two great inter
ests which originated the convention which
formed the present Constitution, were the need
of an executive head of the Nation and the ma
tional regulation of its commercial interests
with foreign countries and between tho States;'
that the interests which you represent, and
that which the President represents are both
the joint creation of the present Constitution of
the United States Tell the assembly, said
he, that a government by the peo-
pie should reflect the sturdy industry
and the same scrupulous virtue which lie az the
foundation of the peoples success and prosper
ity Let me offer volunteer toast: TO the
gentlemen of the Chamber of Commerce, held
in high estimation in all the cities of every part
of the United States / know that l add
nothing to your knowledge. l am only sure
that you could have summoned whose
feelings are SO touched by the assembly before
me- What a scene meets one as he gazes upon
this splendid country. From Labrador to
the Rio Grande, from the Atlantic
to the Pacific, there lie the splendor
of wealth and the ouietude of peace. Timber,
gold iron inexhaustibe, countless herds of cattle,
looms humming beneath the spirit of steam-all
moving to the of industrial activity.
Where. despite the wealth of all these, can you
find more activity, more life, more purpose than
in the halls of commerce, which enriches and
crowns the nations of the earthl l think that
our foreign commerce is not declining that
heroic measures are necessary. In fact think
that the United States is contestiug with
Great Britain the supremacy of the commerce
of the earth. But American tonnage is decreas-
ing" After showing its rise and fall since 1924,
he said: mo wonder that our friends look for
ward almost hopelessly for the time when
American ships shall again whiten every sea.
Gentlemen. am only stating facts, and allow
you to think of Perhaps the chief
cause is that artificial one, protection. There is
another vital element which forms a basis upon
which rest all things, and that is mercantile
honor. Applause. There have been many
inventions which increase tonnage, and in all
things which go to make up successful COM